More and more people are delving into the use of medical marijuana to help them manage their health conditions.

Perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that there are already several individuals who vouch for the effectiveness of cannabis, including celebrities.

To ensure that you will be able to acquire the medical cannabis products that you need, though, you need to get a medical marijuana card. 

This article lists down the steps on how you can get a medical marijuana card in your state.

Step 1: Verify whether your medical condition qualifies for medical marijuana use.

The first thing that you need to do to get a medical marijuana card in your state is to verify whether your medical condition qualifies for its use. In this case, you need to look for a list of qualifying conditions in your state, which are the diagnosable conditions that can most likely be treated with medical marijuana. Some of the most common ones are listed below.

• Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

In most states, epilepsy and seizure disorders belong to the list of qualifying conditions that can be treated with the use of medical marijuana. Perhaps this can be attributed to the fact that the non-intoxicating cannabis compounds are found to significantly reduce the frequency of seizures for many individuals. In some states, medical marijuana is even legal for pediatric epilepsy treatments.

• Cancer

Much research is still needed when it comes to the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating cancer. Nevertheless, most states already permit the use of cannabis to alleviate cancer patients with symptoms, which may include nausea and vomiting, as well as appetite loss and pain management. Most cancer patients search for cannabis products that contain a certain balance of THC and CBD compounds.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Patients with MS are some of the boldest advocates for the use of medical marijuana because it can greatly alleviate the pain they are suffering because of their condition. Fortunately, MS is included in the list of qualifying conditions for many states. Thus, if you have MS, then you may be eligible to acquire a medical marijuana card.

Step 2: Supply proof of residence.

Once you have verified that your medical condition is on the list of health concerns that merit the use of cannabis products, the next thing that you need to do is to supply proof of your residence.

This is quite easy because you can simply present your driver’s license or any other document that proves that you live in the state where you will be trying to acquire medical marijuana, as well as the card.

Just keep in mind to check the time and again whether there are any updates regarding the legality of the use of marijuana for medical purposes in your state.

There are over 40 states where the use of medical marijuana is allowed. However, the laws and regulations in each state may vary accordingly.

For instance, there are states wherein medical marijuana is only allowed for adult use, such as in Alaska, while there are also states wherein the use of medical marijuana is decriminalized statewide, such as in Delaware.

There are also certain states, such as Hawaii, Nevada, and Oklahoma, to name a few, which accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards, or those that are acquired from a different state.

Step 3: Get a written recommendation from a doctor.

As soon as you have verified that your health condition merits the use of medical marijuana and you have a valid proof of residence in your state, the next step is for you to get a written recommendation from a doctor.

The medical marijuana enthusiasts behind Medcards suggest that you leverage online sources to help you effortlessly find doctors near you who support the use of medical marijuana for its therapeutic effects.

From there, you can get in touch with them, not only for you to acquire the card that you need, but to discuss with them the dosage that is recommended for your condition. 

Rest assured that there are already a number of medical professionals who are authorized to prescribe cannabis.

You may even ask your doctor if he or she is one and whether or not they are comfortable in recommending medical marijuana.

Step 4: Find a medical marijuana cannabis dispensary near you.

Finally, as soon as you acquire your medical marijuana card, all that is left for you to do is to find a medical marijuana dispensary near you.

Fortunately, looking for one is now made more effortless with various online sources that will be able to provide you with a bird’s eye view of the dispensaries available in your area.

Nonetheless, make sure that you only engage with licensed or accredited dispensaries to ensure that you are getting high-quality products that will be able to help you with your medical condition.

Alongside this, remember to bring your card with you before you visit the dispensary because most will check it upon entry, regardless of whether they already have your authorization on file.

Benefits of a Medical Marijuana Card

A medical marijuana card that you obtain in a state where it is legal poses various benefits, which is why you should seriously consider getting one.

• Reduced Costs

One of the primary benefits of having a medical marijuana card is that you get to pay for a lower cost when you acquire the cannabis products that you need.

This can be greatly beneficial for people who are relying on the use of medical marijuana products to help them manage their health conditions.

The lower cost can be attributed to the fact that the taxes imposed on medical marijuana products are avoided by people bearing the card.

For instance, in Colorado, medical cannabis patients are exempted from the 10% retail marijuana tax, as well as from the 15% excise tax that is usually paid for by recreational marijuana users.

• Increased Potency Limits

Another benefit of presenting a medical marijuana card is that you get to be eligible for higher potency limits. This is particularly beneficial for medical cannabis users who need to access high-strength medical marijuana products to alleviate the symptoms of their medical condition.

Compared to recreational dispensaries that need to abide by a certain potency limit offering, medical dispensaries can have more leeway for their patrons who are legal cardholders.

For instance, in California, you may be limited to only 1000mg of cannabis per package of tinctures, but when you use your card in a medical marijuana dispensary, you may be allowed to purchase up to 2000mg.

It is quite effortless to get a medical marijuana card in your state, particularly if you live in a place where it is legal.

All you need is to verify whether your condition merits its use, supply proof of your residency, and find a doctor who will provide you with the recommendation.

From there, you will already have a card that you can use to purchase the right dosage of the medical marijuana that you need in an accredited or certified dispensary.

Bear in mind that with a medical marijuana card, you will be able to reap various benefits when it comes to its purchase, which is why it is worth the effort for you to get one.